Приключения Робин Гуда
How Sir Richard of the Lea Paid His Debts
Truly,I—"
"Hownow,"brokeinthePriorinaquiveringvoice,hiseyesglisteningandhischeeksredwithanger,"dostthoupratetomyverybeard,sirrah?BySaintHubert,thouhadstbestsavethybreathtocoolthypottage,elseitmayscaldthymouth."
"Nay,"saidthemanoflawsmoothly,"Idareswearthissameknightwillnevercometosettlementthisday,butwillproverecreant.Nevertheless,wewillseeksomemeanstogainhislandsfromhim,soneverfear."
Butevenasthedoctorspoke,therecameasuddenclatterofhorses’hoofsandajingleofironmailinthecourtyardbelow.ThenupspakethePriorandcalledupononeofthebrethrenthatsatbelowthesalt,andbadehimlookoutofthewindowandseewhowasbelow,albeitheknewrightwellitcouldbenonebutSirRichard.
Sothebrotheraroseandwentandlooked,andhesaid,"Iseebelowascoreofstoutmen-at-armsandaknightjustdismountingfromhishorse.Heisdressedinlongrobesofgraywhich,methinks,areofpoorseeming;butthehorseheridethuponhaththerichestcoursingthateverIsaw.TheKnightdismountsandtheycomethisway,andareevennowbelowinthegreathall."
"Lo,seeyetherenow,"quothPriorVincent."Hereyehaveaknightwithsoleanapurseasscarcetobuyhimacrustofbreadtomunch,yethekeepsabandofretainersandputsrichtrappingsuponhishorse’shide,whilehisownbackgoethbare.